first || [audio]

[backin_theworld]

[  Steve isn't sure where he is, or how he got even got here. He remembers that day very well. And he shouldn't be here. Wherever here is.

He looks down the dark, wet streets of the city as the snow continues to fall with a look of confusion etched into his brows. Things are different, and more, it feels different. Not at all like he remembers.

Steve

Comments

[not_taserproof]

[ It takes him a while to remember how to work his network device again...but now seems a good time. ]

Are you certain of that?

[backin_theworld]

That I'm alive? No. Not really.

[Pause; lower voice]

Actually.. I'm pretty sure I shouldn't be.

[not_taserproof]

There is a young woman here who claims that she is dead, yet walks and speaks as we do.

It does not seem that this realm discriminates between living and dead. What matters is what you believe to be true.

[backin_theworld]

I can't say for sure. Last thing I remember is being in a plane and it crashing somewhere in the Atlantic.

[he'll leave out that little fact that he was the one who decided to crash it]

[not_taserproof]

Perhaps you are being given an opportunity to prove yourself, before it is decided where you will remain.

[backin_theworld]

Makes sense. I think.

[not_taserproof]

If you can make sense of where we are, you are better off than most.

[backin_theworld]

That's just it. I can't. I don't remember anything after the crash.

[not_taserproof]

Where was it that you said you had crashed?

[backin_theworld]

The Atlantic ocean, in an ice field.

[not_taserproof]

Is it a very populated region of your realm?

[backin_theworld]

No, I was trying to keep the plane from going into a populated region. New York, actually.

[not_taserproof]

Then it is possible there is some manner of gateway there, that was triggered upon the impact.

Coming here could have spared your life, in fact.

[backin_theworld]

Maybe. But, that doesn't explain why Howard is here, too.

[not_taserproof]

Ah! So you did find one of your companions.

That is well. Provided he is not dead, of course.

[backin_theworld]

Yeah, I did.

He didn't sound dead, but that might not mean anything in this place.

Mind me asking who you are?